Do I dare ask? How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? Did you make any to break? Are you still going strong or have you already utterly failed?
I have to say that I haven’t broken any of my resolutions this year…I didn’t make any! Ha! That’s not true – I did make the one, remember it? In 2023, don’t be a fool! I fear I’ve already broken it in some regard.
There is a resolution that I attempt often though, and that is the never-ending resolution of the true follower of Jesus- the resolution to repent.
Repentance is a never-ending endeavor. It begins with a changing of my mind and committing to a completely different way of thinking. The challenge with this though is that that more I learn about God, the more repentance is necessary.
It’s a very rare thing when I study for classes or sermons that I don’t discover some area in my thinking that was wrong and in need of adjustment. Even when my thinking doesn’t need adjusting, I then find, more often than not, other changes I need to make.
It’s not always sin either; Sometimes the discovery I make is a way that I can live my life that better glorifies the Lord.
The question changes as we mature from, “Is this wrong?” to “Does this glorify God?” There are many things I can do with my time, for instance, that aren’t sinful, but that aren’t necessarily beneficial to me or anyone else either.
And there are even times when I do something that would be a good thing, but then I spoil it by patting myself on the back and take the credit myself instead of giving God the glory that is all due Him.
Repentance is a message that never grows old because as the living sacrifices we are, we are constantly in need of it. So long as we live, the Lord will push and pull and mold us into ever greater images until one day, after this life, He will make us like Jesus.
Until that day, repentance will be required. So keep on repenting with me church! As you continually repent, God will continually change you for His purposes and for the glory of Christ!
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
